Jarvis not turning back

Star forward working with SuperSonics as deadline passes

Posted: Friday, June 13, 2003

By Charles Shepardcshepard@onlineathens.com

Jarvis Hayes' Georgia basketball career is over.

The 6-foot-7 forward, who led the Bulldogs with an average of 18.3 points this past season, did not back out of his decision to enter the NBA Draft by Thursday's deadline, despite the fact he has yet to sign with an agent.

''He's going to enter the draft. We just haven't decided on an agent yet,'' his father James Hayes said. ''He's already made that decision.''

Jarvis Hayes, the 2002 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, said in March he would forego his senior season. He did not retain an agent, however, and had the option to reverse his decision two weeks before the June 26 draft and regain his collegiate eligibility.

At the time he declared, he said he would return to Georgia only if he was projected to be selected in the lottery, which includes the first 13 picks of the draft.

Jarvis Hayes has been projected to go in the lottery by three Internet mock drafts, and as high as seventh (CBSsportsline, to Chicago). James Hayes said Jarvis worked out on Thursday with the SuperSonics in Seattle, a team projected to pick Hayes at No. 12 in sportingnews.com's mock draft.

Georgia coach Dennis Felton said Hayes' decision will not affect his plans for the 2003-2004 season.

''I have never anticipated him returning to Georgia,'' said Felton, who has had regular communication with Hayes. ''I've always expected he'll have a tremendous opportunity in the NBA and he'll take advantage of it.''

Felton also confirmed this week that Jarvis' twin Jonas would return to the team despite earlier reports he would skip his final year of eligibility to focus on school.

Jarvis Hayes reached 1,000 points at Georgia in 55 games, six games fewer than Litterial Green, the school's all-time leading scorer. The Atlanta native was a two-time All-SEC selection and was edged out by Tennessee forward Ron Slay for 2003 SEC Player of the Year honors.

The twins transferred to Georgia after playing their freshman season at Western Carolina. Jarvis Hayes was the first freshman since 1960 to lead the Southern Conference in scoring.